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China might further isolate Taiwan after legislative polls: MOFA

ROC Central News Agency

2008-01-09 17:32:14

    Taipei, Jan. 9 (CNA) China might make further attempts to isolate Taiwan in the world's diplomatic arena after Saturday's legislative elections, Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) James Huang said Wednesday.

    Huang issued the warning following the weekly Executive Yuan meeting while taking questions from reporters.

    Huang said he has suggested that President Chen Shui-bian should attend the inauguration of Guatemalan President-elect Alvaro Colom Jan. 14, although he added that Chen had not made a decision on whether he will do so.

    According to Huang, his ministry has worked out plans concerning sending the president or dispatching an envoy to the activity.

    Chen, who concurrently serves as chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) , would have to depart for Guatemala by Jan. 12 at the latest -- the same day as the legislative elections -- if he decides to attend. "Even if the president decides to embark on the trip at the last minute, we have the responsibility to carry out the mission, " Huang said, adding that Chen will make a final decision after conducting an overall assessment of Taiwan's diplomatic situation and after arranging transit stops in the United States. "China is very likely to deal a blow to Taiwan on the diplomatic front immediately before or after the legislative elections, especially if the president is away on an overseas trip at the time," Huang warned. "Despite a high possibility of China launching a diplomatic offensive against Taiwan while Chen is abroad, the government has to make even greater efforts to reach out, which is why I strongly suggested that the president visit Guatemala," he went on. "Taiwan must not stand still in the face of the strong pressure from China, as this is exactly what China hopes for," he argued.

    Commenting on the state of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Malawi, Huang said he would call a news conference the following day to brief the public on related development.

    The media reported extensively last week that Malawi is expected to swiftly shift diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China after Huang was forced to cancel his plan to visit the country upon being informed at the last minute that it was "not convenient" for the Malawi government to receive him.

    Speculation is running high that Malawi -- a diplomatic ally of Taiwan for 42 years -- will soon establish formal diplomatic relations with China after two Malawi Cabinet officials visited China recently.

(By Flor Wang)

ENDITEM/J